A Low-Profile, Wide-Angle Scanning Phased Array Based on Dual-Mode Patch Elements for Vehicular Millimeter-Wave Applications
Ke Zhang, Feng Wan, Xuan Feng Tong, Yan Zhang, Zhi Hao Jiang, Wei Hong
Abstract
In this brief, based on dual-mode patch elements, an 8-channal wide-angle scanning phased array is proposed and demonstrated at <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${K}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> -band. By jointly exciting the <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\rm TM_{11}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\rm TM_{01}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> modes of a via-loaded stacked-patch radiator, the array can possess one-dimensional wide scanning properties. In addition, by incorporating a four-element sub-array with in-phase Dolph-Chebyshev excitations, directive patterns with low sidelobe levels (SLLs) can be achieved in the orthogonal main plane of the scanned beam. An array prototype operating at 25.2 GHz is fabricated and characterized, achieving a 3-dB scanning coverage of ±70° with a SLL of −9 dB. In the orthogonal main plane of the broadside beam, a directional pattern with a SLL of −22 dB is obtained. The demonstrated phased array can be suitable for vehicular millimeter-wave applications.